Speaking outside her home in Putney, south-west London, she said: "The whole thing has opened a can of worms that really should not have been opened. Heidi is a charming girl who I have never found rude -- not once."

Following a stinging rebuke of Mrs Bourne from Ms Withers' father -- who said she was "up her own backside" -- Mrs Godfrey laughed off fears that the wedding would be awkward, remarking: "We shall see."

But asked for her thoughts on her former husband's new wife, she stopped laughing and said: "Absolutely no comment."

Mrs Bourne sent the sarcasm-laden email to Ms Withers following the bride-to-be's stay at 'Houndspool', the family home in Devon, in April.